Deadbolts come in three primary varieties: single, double, and lockable thumbturn. Single cylinder deadbolts are found on most American homes. They use a key cylinder on the outside and a thumbturn (rosary) on the inside to open or close the lock.
Deadbolt locks come in three primary types: single, double and vertical. Single-cylinder deadbolts are the simplest and can be activated from one side via a key. Double-cylinder deadbolts can be used with a key from both sides.
Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A Grade 1 is the highest grade and provides the most security.
Many times the deadbolts will have the name stamped on the face of the lock. Door knobs are a little different. Most brands of knobs do not have the manufacturer name on them. However, if you look at the latch, many manufactures will stamp their brand name on the latch plate.
Single cylinder
This is the most common type of deadbolt used. Single cylinder deadbolts have an exterior keyhole that throws or retracts the deadbolt using a key on the outside. On the inside, you can lock and unlock the deadbolt with the thumbturn.
This grading system assigns letter scores of A, B, or C to deadbolts in three categories: security, durability, and finish. The best deadbolts are graded AAA in this system. Our top choice of deadbolts, the Schlage B60, is rated grade 1 by ANSI and AAA by BHMA for the highest security rating.
1) EVVA MCS
Each key has a complex rounded shape, this coupled with the magnetic element makes it an extremely hard lock to pick. The only way to gain access to the door would be for the key to be cloned, and in that case, a master locksmith would need to get their hands on the original key.
Basic Cylinder Locks
Deadbolts use a solid piece of metal to secure the door, while standard cylinder locks use a spring to help make it easier to lock the door. Unfortunately, the spring does not provide much security and it can easily be forced. Deadbolts, however, are still vulnerable to lock picking.
A professional deadbolt installation takes less than two hours. If you're going the DIY route, it will take a similar amount of time, depending on your familiarity with the necessary tools. Deadbolt replacements can be performed in just 15 to 30 minutes since all you're doing is swapping out the hardware.
CR's take: The Medeco Maxum 11TR503-19 is the strongest deadbolt across all of our lock categories. It's top-notch for drilling, withstands kick-ins very well, and is designed in a way that makes it quite difficult to pick.
Because Schlage locks are made of stronger materials, are superior in their mechanism, and provide far greater security than Kwikset locks, it should be mentioned that they are more expensive compared to Kwikset.
Deadbolt Lock Disadvantages
Deadbolts are stronger and more difficult to compromise than other locks, but they're not entirely impenetrable. Break-ins can still happen no matter which type of lock your doors have.
Grade 1 not only meets commercial building requirements, it also provides the best security available against vandalism and heavy usage. Grade 2 meets light commercial requirements and exceeds residential building requirements. These locks are adequate for lighter duty doors where security is less of an issue.
Generally, single-cylinder deadbolts are less secure than double-cylinder options.
Security — Since a key is required to unlock them from both the inside and outside, double-cylinder deadbolts offer an extra layer of security. Deters burglars — Since they are more difficult to pick, most burglars will move on to an easier target.
Hiring a pro to install a deadbolt lock generally costs around $50 to $100, but that's just for the labor—the full installation cost will vary based on what type of lock you choose. You can also save money by choosing to roll up your sleeves and install a deadbolt lock yourself.
Lock picking is the first and best method to unlock a deadbolt without a key. It is a popular choice for those who want to avoid damaging their door or lock. Lock picking is an easy skill to learn—the basics required to pick a standard pin tumbler deadbolt can be cultivated within 10 minutes.
It is all depending on the deadbolt that you have. If it is a standard lock they can usually just pick it or bump key it. But if it a security lock then the only way that they are able to open it is to drill the lock.
In combination with your deadbolt, your door will put up a fight against even the most forceful kicks. They're also tamper-proof and will protect your door against lock picking and lock bumping. Even if someone steals or copies your key, they won't be able to get in.
Most criminals who want to get inside your home won't take the time to carefully pick a deadbolt lock—they'll break the glass and reach in or just kick the door in. The fact of the matter is that if someone really wants to get in, they will try very hard to do so.
Having a deadbolt on the entrance to your home will take a standard door knob lock to the next level. Forced entry is involved in 55.7 percent of burglaries, and a deadbolt will make breaking down a door remarkably more challenging.
Strike Plate Lock
This method is more secure than relying on a set of screws on the back of a door to keep the door secured against break-ins. Also, users can install a strike plate lock using the existing strike plate screw holes to prevent further damage to the door frame.
Abloy Protec2 PL 330 Padlock
It is one of the only locks in the world that has never been picked. It has a hardened boron alloy steel shackle to provide resistance to bolt cutters (but is not bolt cutter proof). The padlock body is brass and the shackle and body are chrome plated, so it is very rust-resistant.
A single-cylinder deadbolt is the most common type. It requires a key to operate the lock from the outside, but has a thumb-turn on the inside. A double-cylinder lock requires a key to operate the door from either side.